Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, PLLC CT

Thomas W. Bucci is a founding member of Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C. Mr. Bucci's practice includes trial and appellate work, employment and discrimination law. His reputation has earned him an AV peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He represents clients in all levels of state and federal courts and has advocated for clients before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations, and the Connecticut Board of Mediation and Arbitration. Mr. Bucci served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Bridgeport, and was Mayor of the City of Bridgeport from 1985 through 1989.He has successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court, winning a precedent setting victory in the case of Connecticut v. Teal. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mr. Bucci received his BA from Sacred Heart University and his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Mr. Bucci is admitted to practice before the court of the State of Connecticut (1973), the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Bucci is a past president of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, and is currently a member of the Greater Bridgeport, Connecticut and American Bar Associations.

Charles J. Willinger, Jr., the founding member of the firm, handles the negotiation and closing of substantial commercial real estate transactions for national, regional, and local clients. Known for his ability to bring disparate interests to consensus, Mr. Willinger's experience in commercial transactions, zoning, and land use, has earned him an AV peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Willinger has represented developers and municipalities in some of the largest real estate developments and municipal redevelopments in New Haven and Fairfield Counties. Mr. Willinger also represented the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, an American Hockey League team and affiliate of the New York Islanders. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mr. Willinger graduated from Fairfield University and the University of Miami, School of Law. Mr. Willinger is admitted to practice before the bars of the States of Connecticut and Florida State Courts (1973), and before the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Mr. Willinger sits on the Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association, and is a member of the Greater Bridgeport, Connecticut, Florida, and American Bar Associations.

Ann Marie Willinger, a member, working with her husband and partner, represents clients in administrative law related to land use, including zoning, inland wetlands, historic, environmental, and coastal permits and approvals. She is known for her ability to investigate, prepare, and coordinate all aspects of the application, approval, and appellate process. Ms. Willinger is the managing partner of the LegalShield, Inc. Department in the law firm and oversees the provision of comprehensive legal services to its members. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Ms. Willinger attended Wellesley College and graduated from Fairfield University, magna cum laude. She attended St. John's University School of Law, achieving a position on its Law Review and graduated from the University of Bridgeport School of Law, summa cum laude in 1981. Ms. Willinger is admitted to practice before the bar of the State of Connecticut (1981), the U. S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and the U. S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Willinger is a member of the Greater Bridgeport, Connecticut and American Bar Associations, and the American Prepaid Legal Institute.

Athan S. Mihalakos has been associated with the firm since 1999, engaging in general practice, special education/school law, and transportation law.Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Mr. Mihalakos graduated from Fordham University, and received his law degree from Loyola Law School. Mr. Mihalakos is admitted to practice before the Connecticut bar, the Pennsylvania bar, the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut and the U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Mihalakos is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.Mr. Mihalakos has served as a member of the Connecticut Higher Education Advisory Council, a zoning commissioner for the City of Waterbury, Connecticut, as Assistant to Corporation Counsel for the City of Waterbury, Connecticut, as a hearing officer for the State of Connecticut Special Education Due Process Unit and as a small claims commissioner, Superior Court Housing Session, Waterbury.

Bradd S. Robbins, a partner, has been with the principals of Willinger, Willinger & Bucci, P.C., since 1988. Bradd is chair of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group. Bradd is known to be a consummate and detail oriented professional who excels at client contact and at giving sound and practical legal advice. Bradd's practice areas include residential real estate development, commercial real estate and leasing, commercial finance and corporate law. Mr. Robbins represents developers, small businesses, and institutional lenders throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Bradd received his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and his law degree from Boston University. Mr. Robbins is admitted to practice before the bars of the State of Connecticut (1988), the State of Massachusetts (1989), and the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.

Diane M. Lord represents developers and individuals with all aspects of land use planning throughout Fairfield County. Ms. Lord appears before various municipal planning and zoning agencies to obtain necessary approvals for construction, redevelopment, and other land use requirements. Ms. Lord also prosecutes and defends land use decision appeals in Connecticut's Appellate Courts. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Ms. Lord received her undergraduate degree from Southern Connecticut State University and her Juris Doctor degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law. Ms. Lord was admitted to the Connecticut bar, and the bar of the U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut. Ms. Lord is a member of the Greater Bridgeport and Connecticut Bar Associations.

James A. Lenes has represented individuals and businesses since 1991 in the areas of commercial litigation, bankruptcy law, landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosures and collections, real estate litigation, employment litigation and personal injury litigation. Mr. Lenes received his undergraduate degree from Lehigh University and his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he was an Associate Editor of the Connecticut Law Review. Mr. Lenes is admitted to practice before the bars of the State of Connecticut (1992) and the State of New York (1991), and the U.S. District Court, for the District of Connecticut and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Mr. Lenes is a member of the Greater Bridgeport and Connecticut Bar Associations.

Robert B. Bellitto, Jr., Rob, for over two decades has been representing clients in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate transactions. Rob has also committed a substantial part of his legal practice to providing probate court services, drafting wills and trusts, as well as other estate related matters. Rob graduated from Fairfield University in 1990 and from Suffolk Law School in 1993. Rob initially worked in the superior court clerk’s office obtaining valuable practical experience in civil, criminal and family matters. In 1994 and 1995, Rob clerked for the Chief Administrative Judge for the State of Connecticut. After practicing law with his father for over twenty years, he joined Willinger Willinger & Bucci, P.C., bringing his significant experience to the firm.

Mark H. Middlen has been associated with the firm since 2003, representing clients in multiple areas of civil litigation (including personal injury and matrimonial and family law), and criminal defense. Born in Gardner, Massachusetts, Mr. Middlen graduated summa cum laude from Fitchburg State University in 1991 and earned his law degree from Western New England University School of Law in 1994. He is a member of the Greater Bridgeport, Fairfield and Connecticut Bar Associations.

Eric Desmond is a New Jersey native who attended Purdue University for his undergraduate studies. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Developmental Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. Following college, Eric attended Vermont Law School and received both a Juris Doctor and a Master of Studies in Environmental Law. Following law school, Eric was admitted to practice before the bars of Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana and Texas. During Eric’s greater than twenty years in practice, he has focused primarily on employment law, representing individual, corporate and municipal clients before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Eric has represented clients in a wide variety of legal matters, including matters involving unfair, discriminatory and prohibited employment practices, workers’ compensation matters and unemployment claims. Eric’s diverse background also includes handling freedom of information claims, both as counsel for governmental entities responding to requests and as counsel for individuals seeking information from governmental entities, environmental and natural resources matters, social security disability applications, insurance coverage disputes and copyright and trademark applications.

Christopher Cerami advocates on behalf of people who have suffered physical injuries to obtain the compensation necessary to treat their injuries and rebuild their lives and also defends the rights of those involved in the criminal justice system. Born in Bethpage, NY, Chris and his family moved to Orange, Connecticut where he completed his early education. Chris graduated from the University of New Haven, Magna cum laude, and attended the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he honed his defense skills in the criminal law clinic. Upon graduation and admission to the bar, Chris opened a solo practice in New Haven, Connecticut. From the very beginning, Chris prided himself on finding a way to help clients that other lawyers had given up. In addition to handling personal injury and criminal matters, Chris represented the plaintiff in a significant business dispute involving violations of the Connecticut Unfair Practices Act, helped victims of workplace sexual harassment and racial discrimination recover compensation and he was co-counsel on a federal employment case in which he represented an employee terminated for exercising her right to free speech. Seeking to expand the legal resources available to his clients, Chris decided to join the firm in 2019. At the firm, Chris continues to practice in the areas of personal injury, criminal law and employment law, while expanding his experience in general litigation matters.

Associate Attorney Carolyn Lenoci supports the firm’s litigation team by preparing detailed memoranda, case law summaries, and legal briefs to inform strategy and support client advocacy. In housing law, Carolyn focuses on filing and defending against summary process actions. In criminal law, she assists in researching statutes and procedural guidelines and preparing arguments for a favorable disposition without trial. Carolyn was born in Easton, Connecticut. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Haven, where she received her B.A. in criminal justice. She then received her J.D., summa cum laude, from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she served as publication editor of the Quinnipiac Health Law Journal.